Genesis 36: Sowing the Wrong Seed

(upbeat music) - Welcome to chapter by chapter. It's a four year journey through the greatest book given to the human race, the Word of God, the Bible. And we get to go through a chapter by chapter. Seven minutes a day and seven days a week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can join this journey that will be life changing. We're gonna stop at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder. And we will even have chapters that will be instructive. And in others, we'll find joy and comfort. We'll occasionally be convicted and need to change. But all in all, the journey will be worth it. Once in a while, we may take a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's greatest servants from their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is read the chapter we were discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. You will find more and see more than I could ever articulate. Welcome to chapter by chapter. And today's chapter is Genesis 36, sowing the wrong seed. Reading the genealogy chapters of the Bible can be tedious and even laborious, but stick with it. There is gold even in those parts of the inspired Word of God. Genesis 36 is somewhat of a frightening genealogy. And at first, I was taken back to even see it in the scripture. It starts with these startling words in verse one. Now, these are the records of the generations of Issa. It seems we take a detour in the Genesis story of Jacob to read about the generations of Issa. This is Jacob's brother who sold his birthright for lentil soup. He lost the prayer of blessing from his father because of Jacob. He is the brother that not only vowed to kill Jacob, but right after he lost the family blessing, he did something vindictive. Listen to these words in Genesis 28, 6. Issa knew that his father Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Padana Ram to find a wife and that he had warned Jacob. You must not marry a Canaanite woman. He also knew that Jacob had obeyed his parents and gone to Padana Ram. Verse 8, it was now very clear to Issa that his father did not like the local Canaanite women. So Issa visited his uncle Ishmael's family and married one of Ishmael's daughters in addition to the wives you already had. Issa knew what honored his parents but decided to dishonor them. They did not want their children to marry from the Canaanites. Jacob obeyed and Issa clearly disobeyed to inflict pain on his father Isaac for what had happened. Some years ago I read the story of two fathers from two families with two fates. It was a story of Jonathan Edwards and Max Jukes from the 18th century. Jonathan Edwards, one of the greatest minds that got us given America, lived in the state of New York. He was a Christian and believed in Christian training. He married a girl of light character and from this union men have studied 729 descendants. One was a US vice president, one was a dean of law school, one was a dean of medical school, three were US senators, three were governors, three were mayors, 13 were college presidents, 30 were judges, 60 doctors, 65 professors, 75 military officers, 80 public office holders, 100 lawyers, 100 clergymen, and 285 college graduates. The Edwards family did not cost the state a single dollar but blessed that state and this nation. They were contributors in all aspects. Max Jukes was another story. Jukes lived in the same state. He did not believe in Christian training, did not believe in God. He married a girl of light character and from this union this is what men have studied. Of a 1026 descendants. Jukes descendants included seven murderers, 60 thieves, 190 prostitutes, 150 other convicts, 310 poppers, 440 who were physically wrecked by addiction to alcohol and of the 1,200 descendants that were studied 300 died prematurely. The family cost the state in the 18th century, $1.2 million. That's about $100 million in today's currency. They made no helpful contribution to society but re-destruction. This is Genesis 36. So many of the names on this list I don't recognize but there is a story behind each name. Is Esau's genealogy reminds me of the story of a young man who had a terrible falling out with a neighboring farmer. One night in an act of cruel vengeance, he crept through the neighboring fields and as he did so, he scattered seeds of a persistent, virulent weed. Very soon the weed sprang up and no amount of effort would eradicate them. Years passed and eventually the young man fell in love with the farmer's daughter. He married her and at length inherited the farm. He desecrated. He later confessed that he was spending the rest of his life reaping what he had sown that one act of angry folly. Esau, in one act of defiance against his father Isaac, decided for the weeds. You're reading a genealogy that started from revenge and rebellion. When anything is given birth from rebellion, expect a long line of danger and pain. There are churches that have split because of an Esau spirit that would not submit obey or honor. Instead of leaving graciously and realizing it's hard to grow at this place, people have done what Esau has done and created a dangerous genealogy. You can't birth in rebellion and reap righteousness. Just impossible. The Apostle Paul reminds us of that in Galatians 6.7. Do not be deceived. God has not mocked. For whatever a man sows, this, this, he will also reap. There was deception to think that this Genesis 36 genealogy would turn out right. Now, don't get me wrong. There was always moments when people were trusting God and break the cycle and get out of the destruction. There's a famous story about Horatio Bottomley, the politician and convicted fraudster, who was stitching male bags in prison a long time ago when a chaplain cut sight of him. Sewing Bottomley said the priest. No, he replied, I'm reaping. Sewed to all of us soon or later. Thank you for joining chapter by chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the Word of God. Seven minutes a day, seven days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.